John Bishop set for double date at Reading’s Hexagon this week

He has battled monsters from outer space with a frying pan, interviewed the great and good on telly, and met Gorillas on an awfully big adventure. But John Bishop is happy doing stand-up… and that’s what audiences are promised when he comes to Reading this week.

Over the past few years, John Bishop has been busy.

Really busy.

He teamed up with Jodie Whittaker for a series of Doctor Who, filmed during covid conditions, taking on Weeping Angels, Sontarans and angry museum curators for the 2022 series before helping the BBC celebrate its centenary.

And he’s hosted his own ITV chat show, while a series on W channel saw him have a one-to-one with some of the biggest names in entertainment, music and sport.

He has also fitted in a podcast, Three Little Words.

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Working with writer, actor and director Tony Pitts.  The two friends talk to fascinating people about their lives, hopes, struggles and beliefs.  The show features a rich mix of guests, from world famous musicians and actors, to scientists, politicians, artists and sports stars.  Past guests have included Robbie Williams, John Cleese, Sebastian Faulks and Professor Brian Cox.

You may also have seen him on stage with Sir Ian McKellan, not in a Shakespearean play but a four-month tour and West End run of the pantomime Mother Goose. Oh yes, he did.

And he also found time to redecorate his spare room.

Quite a time.

But now he is back on the road, doing what he loves most: making people laugh.

John Bishop’s show is called Back At It! … is he?

John Bishop says that making people laugh is one of his favourite things.

He certainly has a knack for it: within three years of his first gig, he was performing sold-out shows in arenas, while his DVD was one of the fastest-selling stand-up releases ever made.

So, it’s no surprise that he is getting back on the road, and making people laugh.

The show was a smash-hit when it toured last year, so it should be no surprise that he is back on the road with it this year.

It received five-star reviews from The Daily Telegraph, the Daily Mirror, and the Liverpool Echo, while The Times praised John Bishop for his funny bones, saying his entire set is “infused with his startingly natural personality”.

Ahead of the tour, the comedian said: “I’m delighted to be adding these additional dates to my Back At It tour. 

“The work in progress shows started about 10 days ago – the juices are flowing again and the response from the audiences has been incredible. I’m looking forward to seeing many more of you out there on the road.”

When is John Bishop at The Hexagon in Reading … and why is there a British Sign Language show?

The Back At It! show will be at The Hexagon in Reading on Thursday, March 6, and Friday, March 7. Both shows start at 8pm.

There are two acts, and the show should finish by 10.10pm.

Tickets cost £27.50, £35, and £45.

Because demand is high, there is a warning that tickets should only be bought from the What’s On Reading website, by calling the Reading Arts box office on 0118 960 6060, or via Ticketmaster and See Tickets.

Promoters warn that tickets bought through any other channels, including resales, will be cancelled, and not used for entry.

The show is suitable for over 14s, and those aged 16 or under must be accompanied by an adult.

Thursday night’s show will have a British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation throughout, delivered by an interpreter positioned on the right side of the performer when looking towards the stage. 

John Bishop uses sign language himself and has delivered stand-up sets through the medium. He started to learn it after his son Joe came down with an autoimmune disease when he was a teenager, which caused his hearing to decline. While he wears hearing aids, sign language helps him.

As a result, John features BSL interpreters to enable the deaf community to enjoy his jokes.